Dissertation Research: Green Blood and Adhesive Pads: Evolution of Novel Adaptations in Lizards

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9311139 Kirkpatrick Several species of lizards from the South Pacific have green blood. This green coloration is the result of the accumulation of the bile pigment biliverdin. Bile pigments are toxic to virtually all vertebrates producing the pathological condition known as jaundice. An understanding of how these lizards are able to withstand large concentrations of biliverdin may provide insight into the pathological nature of bile pigments in other vertebrates including humans. This same group of lizards has evolved several different types of adhesive toe pads. These toe pads are so adhesive that they can climb on smooth vertical surfaces such as glass. By measuring the adhesive abilities of different microstructures for different species we can understand the relationship between different morphologies and mechanisms of adhesion. Knowledge of the evolutionary relationships of these lizards is critical to understanding patterns of morphological and physiological evolution. ***